JP4535803B2 - humidifier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier that humidifies surrounding air by passing air from a blower through a humidifying filter, and particularly prevents foaming that is likely to occur on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter when strong air blowing is obtained. Regarding technology.

A suction port and a blow-off port are formed in the humidifier body, and a water tank is provided at the lower part of the humidifier body. There is a humidifier which sucks up with a filter and humidifies the surrounding air by passing air from the blower through the humidification filter. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-35443 A

  As in Patent Document 1, a humidifying filter of a type that sucks up water in a water tank is treated with a surfactant in order to obtain a moisture absorbing effect. Dissolve in water. When the ventilation path of the humidifying filter is small and a water film is formed on the water surface of the water tank on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter, the melted surfactant is blown on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter by the air passing through the humidifying filter. There is a risk of foaming.

  Moreover, even if the ventilation path of the humidifying filter is relatively large, in order to promote the humidifying effect, when the rotational speed of the blower is increased to a strong blowing state, the lower part of the humidifying filter is immersed in the water of the aquarium Therefore, the static pressure on the air inlet side of the humidifying filter is increased, and the water level of the water tank on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter may be slightly higher than the water level on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter. For this reason, the ventilation path becomes small in the portion on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter, a water film is stretched on the water surface, and the strong air passing through the humidifying filter causes the melted surfactant to dissolve the air in the air outlet side of the humidifying filter. There is a risk of foaming.

  Such foaming is not a problem when the foam can be flipped quickly and little, but if this foam accumulates gradually and the inside of the humidifier becomes wet, there is a risk that wrinkles will occur in that portion. In addition, if such bubbles overflow to the outside of the water tank, there is a possibility that the installation peripheral portion of the humidifier becomes wet.

  In view of such a point, the present invention does not cause foaming on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter even when the rotational speed of the blower is increased to be in a strong air blowing state in order to promote the humidifying effect. The configuration is provided.

In the present invention, a water tank to which water is supplied from a water supply tank is provided at the lower part of the humidifier body, and a blower chamber that houses a blower is provided above the water tank so as to communicate the suction port and the blowout port. The blower chamber and a humidifying filter whose lower part is immersed in the water of the water tank are arranged on the path, and the blower sent from the blower toward the lower water tank and passes through the humidifying filter is sent from the outlet. In the humidifier that humidifies the surrounding air, the ventilation path includes a passage communicating from the suction port to the blower chamber, a passage extending from the blower chamber to the air inlet side of the humidification filter in the water tank, and the humidification filter. A passage extending from the air outlet side to the air outlet, and the humidifying filter is configured such that the air flow between the water absorbing sheets that sucks up water in the water tank by a capillary action. A filter block having a plurality of air passages, and a frame surrounding the filter block, wherein the frame of the humidifying filter is located on an air outlet side of the humidifying filter in a portion located below the humidifying filter. The height of the frame is widened so as to block a large number of air passages of the humidifying filter at a height from the water surface of the water tank to a height at which foaming can be prevented .

In the present invention, even when the rotational speed of the air blower is increased to perform a strong air blowing operation, since air flowing along the water surface of the water tank on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter is restricted, the air outlet side surface of the humidifying filter is Foaming can be prevented.

In addition , since it is a structure that blocks the air passage at the lower part of the air passage in the filter block by a part of the frame surrounding the filter block of the humidifying filter, it can prevent foaming depending on the shape of the frame, so no special parts are required, The foam prevention structure is simplified. In this case, preferably, the lower frame on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter can be achieved by making it slightly higher than the surface of the water, so if the mounting position of the humidifying filter combined with the water tank is determined, the height shape of the frame corresponding to it Therefore, the frame can be easily handled by molding the frame with synthetic resin.

  In the third invention, in addition to the effect of the first invention, since the height of the foaming prevention barrier may be determined based on the water level of the water tank, it can be integrally formed with the synthetic resin water tank, and the configuration is simple.

  In the humidifier of the present invention, a water tank is provided at the lower part of the humidifier body, and a fan and a humidifying filter in which the lower part is immersed in the water of the water tank are arranged in a ventilation path communicating the suction port and the outlet, and the humidifying filter In a humidifier that humidifies the surrounding air by blowing air that passes through the air, the air flowing through the water surface of the water tank on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter is restricted so as to prevent foaming at the air outlet side of the humidifying filter. Yes, embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 is a front perspective view of a humidifier according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a main body with the front panel of the humidifier according to the present invention removed, and FIG. 3 is an outside view of the front panel of the humidifier according to the present invention. 4 is a front perspective view of the main body with the water tank pulled out, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal side view of a portion corresponding to the blower of the humidifier according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a water level detection in a state in which the water tank of the humidifier according to the present invention is accommodated. It is a vertical side view which shows arrangement | positioning of an electrode. Example 1 will be described below.

  In the figure, the humidifier 1 forms a housing by a main body 2 having a front opening and a front panel 3 detachably attached to the front surface of the main body 2 so as to close the front opening. A handle 1A is provided on the upper surface of the main body 2 so as to be foldable. The left and right sides of the front panel 3 are provided with flanges 3A that are bent upward and downward. On the left and right sides of the front surface of the main body 2, vertically long locking holes 2A are formed so that the hooks 3A can be hooked from above and below. Yes. With this configuration, the front panel 3 is detachably attached to the front surface of the main body 2.

  Inside the humidifier body 2, a water tank housing 2 </ b> S is formed in the lower part, an air blowing chamber 2 </ b> F surrounded by a partition plate 16 is formed above, and a tank housing chamber 18 is formed on the right side of the air blowing chamber 2 </ b> F. . The water tank storage section 2S below the humidifier body 2 is provided with a synthetic resin water tank 6 having an upper surface opening, and the water tank 6 is removed by the handle 6B at the lower front surface of the humidifier body 2 with the front panel 3 removed. In contrast, it can be pulled out and stored in a sliding manner. In the lower part of the main body 2, the water tank storage portion 2 </ b> S and the tank storage chamber 18 are partitioned on the left and right by a partition wall 41. Corresponding to the partition wall 41, the water tank 6 has a recess 48 that opens rearward. When the water tank 6 is stored in the main body 2, the partition wall 41 enters the recess 48 and suppresses left and right shaking of the water tank 6. To do. The water tank 6 is divided and formed by a partition wall 6C so as to be a filter chamber 6F on the left side and a tank chamber 6T on the right side, and a humidifying filter 7 is provided in the filter chamber 6F so that the lower part is immersed in the water therein. The humidifying filter 7 is removably supported between the front and rear ribs 6D formed at the lower portions of the left and right side walls in the filter chamber 6F.

  In a state where the water tank 6 is slid from the front of the humidifier body 2 and stored in the water tank storage part 2S, the open / close lid 17 provided on the right side of the upper surface of the main body 2 is opened to enter the water supply tank 19 Is inserted into the tank chamber 6 </ b> T of the water tank 6. With this storage, the bottom of the water supply tank 19 is set in the recess 6A in the tank chamber 6T by its weight. As a result, the valve provided at the bottom of the water supply tank 19 is opened and the water in the water supply tank 19 is supplied into the water tank 6, and the predetermined water level is maintained in the recess 6A in the water tank 6 and the filter chamber 6F communicating with the recess 6A. It is the composition which is done. The water supply tank 19 is made of a synthetic resin through which the water inside can be seen through. The water supply tank 19 is close to the back side of the front panel 3 while being stored in the tank chamber 18, and is located in the water supply tank 19 through a vertical window 3B formed in the front panel 3. The water level is visible.

  A blower 8 that is rotated by the electric motor 11 is housed in the blower chamber 2F. The blower 8 employs a centrifugal blower that is rotated by an electric motor 11 in order to obtain a sufficient static air pressure on the air inlet side of the humidifying filter 7, and representative examples thereof include a sirocco fan and a turbo fan. The humidifier 1 is composed of one horizontally long sirocco fan 8A, and the sirocco fan 8A is provided in a blower chamber 15F formed by a fan casing 15 having an opening 15A toward the water tank 6 in the blower chamber 2F. Yes. The sirocco fan 8A includes a large number of blades 14 extending in parallel to the left-right axis 13 at the peripheral edge thereof, and the sirocco fan 8A is provided with a support disk 12 having a boss portion at the center part on the left and right sides. An electric motor 11 is attached to the left and right direction shaft 13 attached to the boss portion outside the fan casing 15. When viewed from the front, the sirocco fan 8A has a left side surface and a right side surface on the air suction side, and the sucked air is sent out from between the blades 14 in the centrifugal direction. The air sent from the sirocco fan 8A flows from the opening 15A toward the lower water tank 6 as shown by the arrow.

  The humidifier 1 is formed with an air inlet 4 and a humidified air outlet 5, and an air passage 10 is formed in the humidifier 1 so as to connect the inlet 4 and the outlet 5. ing. The ventilation path 10 includes a passage communicating from the suction port 4 to the blower chamber 15F in the fan casing 15, a passage extending from the blower chamber 15F through the opening 15A to the air inlet side of the humidification filter 7 in the water tank 6, and a humidification filter. A series of ventilation paths 10 is formed by a path (a path between the rear side of the front panel 3 and the partition plate 16 in front of the fan casing 15) from the air outlet side of the front surface of FIG.

  With such a configuration, the ventilation path 10 has a breathable humidifying filter 7 and a blower 8 disposed above the ventilation humidifying filter 7. The suction port 4 includes a filter 9 and is formed over the back surface and the left side surface of the main body 2, and the blowout port 5 is formed in the upper portion of the front panel 3. The blowout port 5 is provided with a blowout port cover 35 composed of a plurality of vertical bars 33 and a plurality of horizontal bars 34. Reference numeral 20 denotes an electrical equipment box formed in a closed space behind the water tank 6, in which the electrical equipment 20A is accommodated.

  The humidifying filter 7 includes a filter block 7B in which a large number of air passages 7C through which air blown from the blower 8 passes between the water absorbing sheets 7B1 and 7B2 having a fiber structure that sucks up the water in the water tank 6 by capillary action, and the filter block 7B. It is the structure provided with the flame | frame 7A surrounding 7B. Specifically, the filter block 7B includes a plurality of air passages opened on the front and rear surfaces of the humidifying filter 7 by a vertical partition 7B1 having a predetermined spacing and a corrugated partition 7B2 disposed between the partitions 7B1 and 7B1. 7C is formed. The vertical partition 7B1 and the corrugated partition 7B2 are non-woven fabric structures made of chemical fibers. The lower part is submerged in the water in the water tank 6 to suck up the water in the water tank 6 by capillary action, and the air supplied by the blower 8 is supplied. While passing through the air passage 7C, the sucked-up water is vaporized to become humid air, which is sent to the front side of the humidifying filter 7, and rises through the air passage 10 to generate air containing moisture. 5 is sent out of the humidifier 1 to humidify the air in the room where the humidifier 1 is installed.

  Detection of the water level in the water tank 6 is performed by the electrode 40. As described above, the water tank 6 is housed in the main body 2 of the humidifier 1 so as to be freely drawn out. For this reason, the water level detection electrode 40 enters and exits the water tank 6 so that the water level detection electrode 40 enters a predetermined position so as to be immersed in the water in the water tank 6 when the water tank 6 is stored, and retracts outside the water tank 6 when the water tank 6 is pulled out. It is the structure supported by the humidifier main body 2 so that rotation is possible with operation | movement. For this reason, an electrode holder 42 to which a spring 45 force is applied is rotatably provided on the rear wall of the water tank housing portion 2S so that the electrode 40 always rotates to the upper position. The electrode holder 42 is supported by a shaft 44 so that the intermediate portion thereof can turn on the rear wall of the water tank housing portion 2S. The electrode holder 42 includes an electrode holding side 42A facing forward and a working side 42B facing downward. As indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 5, the electrode holder 42 is urged so as to always rotate upward. Further, when the water tank 6 is stored in the water tank storage part 2S, a pressing part 46 for pressing and rotating the electrode holder 42 protrudes substantially horizontally from the rear part of the water tank 6, that is, from the rear wall. .

  With this configuration, when the water tank 6 is pulled out, the electrode holding side 42A is rotated to the upper position in the substantially horizontal state as shown by the dotted line in FIG. The tip of the working side 42B of the electrode holder 42 abuts against the pressing surface 47A of the pressing portion 46 as the water tank 6 is stored in the water tank storage portion 2S. When the water tank 6 is further pushed into the water tank housing part 2S from this state, the front end part 42B1 of the operating side 42B is pressed by the pressing surface 47A against the spring force of the coil spring 45, while the front end part of the operating side 42B is pushed. The pressure surface 47A is slid upward, and finally the tip of the operating side 42B passes through the upper end of the pressing surface 47A and comes into contact with the holding surface 47B on the upper surface of the pressing portion 46. At this time, the electrode 40 is in a state of being lowered to a predetermined position in the water tank 6 (solid line position facing substantially vertically downward as shown in FIG. 5). When the water tank 6 is further pushed into the water tank housing part 2S from this state, the tip end part 42B1 of the operating side 42B finally reaches the final storage position of the water tank 6 while sliding the holding surface 47B in a horizontal state.

  The operation of the humidifier 1 can be performed by supplying power to the electrical component 20 </ b> A, and an operation unit 21 including a plurality of switches 22 </ b> A to 22 </ b> E arranged in a horizontal row is provided on the front surface of the main body 2. . These switches 22A to 22E are used to select ON / OFF of the power source of the humidifier 1, selection of an operation mode, ON / OFF of the negative ion generator 25, setting of a timer, and the like. Based on this, the control circuit unit 23 composed of electronic circuit components operates to achieve the desired control. Further, based on detection by a humidity sensor (not shown), the humidity in the room is displayed on a humidity display unit 24 that displays liquid crystal.

  The humidifier 1 includes a display unit configuration that allows the operation mode selected by the switch 22B to be visually recognized from the outside. The display unit configuration includes five light emitting diodes (LEDs) 31A to 31E arranged in a horizontal row on the base of the control circuit unit 23 with the light irradiation surface facing the front, and the five light emitting diodes (LEDs). ) 31A to 31E are respectively arranged corresponding to the five through holes 32A to 32E formed on the upper front surface of the main body 2, and light from the light emitting diodes (referred to as LEDs) 31A to 31E is transmitted from the corresponding through holes 32A to 32E, respectively. Irradiated forward.

  The blowout port 5 formed on the upper portion of the front panel 3 is provided with a blowout port cover 35 composed of a plurality of vertical bars 33 and a plurality of horizontal bars 34, and a light emitting diode (LED) among the vertical bars 33. The light from the light emitting diodes 31A to 31E is introduced into the vertical bars 33A to 33E through the through holes 32A to 32E to the vertical bars 33A to 33E respectively corresponding to 31A to 31E. The vertical bars 33A to 33E made of a light-transmitting resin shine.

  By the push operation of the switch 22B, the blower 8 rotates at a high speed so as to send a strong wind, and once again the pusher operation of the switch 22B becomes a medium operation at which the blower 8 rotates at a medium speed so as to send a medium wind. It becomes a weak operation in which the blower 8 rotates at a low speed so as to send a weak wind by a push operation of the switch 22B. Then, the automatic operation state is switched again by pushing the switch 22B again. Then, the operation of the blower 8 can be switched to the strong operation, the medium operation, and the weak operation as described above by the push operation of the switch 22B again.

  Here, in a state where the surfactant contained in the humidifying filter 7 is dissolved in the water tank 6, for example, when the operation of the blower 8 is made a strong operation, the strong wind passes through the air passage 7C of the humidifying filter 7, If no measures are taken to prevent foaming, foaming may occur on the side of the air outlet of the humidifying filter 7, but in the present invention, air is sent from the humidifying filter 7 so as to prevent foaming on the side of the air outlet of the humidifying filter 7. The structure which restricted the ventilation which propagates the water surface of the water tank 6 in the exit side is employ | adopted.

  As a specific configuration, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, among the frames 7 </ b> A surrounding the filter block 7 </ b> B constituting the humidifying filter 7, it is a frame portion located at the lower part and on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter 7. Adopting a structure in which the ventilation path 7C in the vicinity of the water surface L1 of the water tank 6 is closed to the foaming prevention height L2 on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter 7 out of the ventilation path 7C of the humidifying filter 7 by the frame portion 7A1 positioned. Yes. Therefore, the frame portion 7A1 has a wide vertical width so as to block the air passage 7C at a height from the air passage 7C at the same position as the water surface L1 of the water tank 6 to a predetermined height L2 that can prevent foaming. .

  Thereby, even when the operation of the blower 8 is made to be a strong operation, the air blowing is restricted along the water surface L1 on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter 7 and is weakened or blocked. No bubbling occurs on the side, and the frame portion 7A1 functions as a bubbling prevention wall.

  As another configuration for forming a foam prevention wall on the frame 7A, the air flow of the humidifying filter 7 is reduced by the frame portion 7A2 located on the lower air inlet side of the humidifying filter 7 in the frame 7A. A method may be adopted in which the air passage 7C in the vicinity of the water surface L1 of the water tank 6 in the passage 7C is closed up to the foaming prevention height L2 on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter 7 on the air inlet side of the humidifying filter 7. Therefore, the frame portion 7A2 has a wide vertical width so as to block the air passage 7C at a height from the air passage 7C at the same position as the water surface L1 of the water tank 6 to a predetermined height L2 that can prevent foaming. Yes.

  As a method of forming the anti-foaming wall on the humidifying filter 7 side, as described above, the lower frame portion of the frame 7A surrounding the filter block 7B of the humidifying filter 7 is slightly higher than the water surface L1, and the portion Since the prevention of foaming can be achieved by restricting the ventilation, the foaming prevention wall can be formed without requiring any special parts, and thus the foaming prevention structure is simplified. In this case, preferably, the lower frame 7A1 on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter 7 can be achieved by making it slightly higher than the water surface. Therefore, if the mounting position of the humidifying filter 7 combined with the water tank 6 is determined, a suitable frame is obtained. Since the height shape of 7A1 is sufficient, the frame 7A can be easily handled by molding with synthetic resin.

  As a configuration of the second embodiment, the foaming prevention wall can be formed not on the humidifying filter 7 side but on the water tank 6 side. As the configuration, on the air inlet surface or the air outlet side surface of the humidifying filter 7, the air passing from the bottom wall of the water tank 6 to the water surface L 1 of the water tank 6 is restricted so as to restrict the air passing through the air passage 7 C near the water surface L 1 of the water tank 6. It is possible to form a bubbling prevention wall projecting toward the bottom.

  As one configuration of the second embodiment, FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal side view of a portion corresponding to the blower of the humidifier according to the present invention. In this configuration, instead of forming a bubbling prevention barrier by the frame 7A of the humidifying filter 7, a bubbling prevention wall is provided at a position close to the air inlet surface of the humidifying filter 7. For this reason, since the structure of the humidifier 1 which concerns on another part is the same as that of the structure shown in Example 1, the description in Example 1 and the code | symbol of each part which concerns on it use the thing of Example 1. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 6, one of the specific configurations according to the second embodiment is that a water tank 6 is provided in the lower part of the humidifier body 2, and a blower 8 is connected to a ventilation path 10 that communicates the suction port 4 and the blowout port 5. And a humidifying filter 7 in which a lower part is immersed in the water of the water tank 6, and in the humidifier 1 that humidifies the surrounding air by passing the air from the blower 8 through the humidifying filter 7, the air outlet of the humidifying filter 7 A bubbling prevention wall 6 </ b> D <b> 1 that restricts the air flow along the water surface of the water tank 6 on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter 7 so as to be close to or in contact with the surface or the air inlet surface is provided on the water surface of the water tank 6. This foaming prevention wall 6D1 can be formed by integral molding with the bottom wall of the synthetic resin water tank 6, and has a height up to the foaming prevention height L2 on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter 7.

  In FIG. 6, the form which formed the foaming prevention wall 6D1 which adjoins or contact | abuts to the ventilation outlet surface and ventilation inlet surface of the humidification filter 7 is shown. In this case, the foaming prevention wall 6D1 close to or in contact with the air outlet surface of the humidifying filter 7 makes it easy to restrict the air passing through the air passage 7C in the vicinity of the water surface L1 of the water tank 6, and the humidifying filter 7 combined with the water tank 6 is attached. If the position is fixed, the height of the frame 7A1 may be set to match the position, and therefore, the frame 7A can be easily handled by molding the synthetic resin.

  In order to support the humidifying filter 7, a pair of front and rear ribs 6D are formed at the lower portions of the left and right side walls in the filter chamber 6F of the water tank 6, and a foaming prevention wall 6D1 is used so as to use one or both of the ribs 6D. Can be formed. FIG. 6 shows a form in which the foaming prevention wall 6D1 is formed so as to use both of the ribs 6D.

  As a configuration of the third embodiment, among the air passages 7C of the filter block 7B of the humidifying filter 7, the air passage 7C in the vicinity of the water surface L1 of the water tank 6 reaches the range of the height L2, that is, the air passage in the water tank 6 near the water surface L1. There is a method of sticking a seal tape or the like on the air inlet surface or the air outlet side surface of the filter block 7B so as to block 7C from the bottom of the water surface L1 to the foaming prevention height L2 on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter 7. Of course, a seal tape or the like may be attached to the air inlet surface and the air outlet side surface of the filter block 7B. According to such a method, even when the water level L1 of the water tank 6 differs depending on the configuration of the humidifier 1, it can be easily handled.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described form of the humidifier, and can be applied to various humidifier forms without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a front perspective view of the humidifier which concerns on this invention. Example 1 It is a main body front perspective view of the state which removed the front panel of the humidifier concerning the present invention. Example 1 It is a main part front perspective view of the state where the water tank was pulled out in the state where the front panel of the humidifier concerning the present invention was removed. Example 1 It is a vertical side view of the fan corresponding | compatible part of the humidifier which concerns on this invention. Example 1 It is a vertical side view which shows arrangement | positioning of the water level detection electrode of the state which accommodated the water tank of the humidifier which concerns on this invention. Example 1 It is a vertical side view of the fan corresponding | compatible part of the humidifier which concerns on this invention which shows the structure of Example 2. FIG. (Example 2)

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Humidifier 2 ... Humidifier main body 2S ... Water tank storage part 3 ... Front panel 4 ... Suction port 5 ... Outlet 6 ... Water tank 6D1 ... Foam prevention wall 7.・ ・ Humidifying filter 7A ・ ・ Frame 7A1 ・ ・ Bubbling prevention wall 7B ・ ・ ・ Filter block 8 ・ ・ ・ Blower 10 ・ ・ Ventilation passage 15 ・ ・ Fan casing 19 ・ ・ Water supply tank 21 ・ ・ Operation unit 22A-22E ・ ・Switch 40 ... Electrode 42 ... Electrode holder

Claims (1)

Humidifier in the lower portion of the main body is provided with a water tank supplied with water from the water supply tank, above the water tank blower chamber is provided for accommodating the blower, the blower air passage for communicating the suction port and blow port chamber and the lower the water of the water tank is disposed a humidifying filter immersed is the ambient air by sending the air blowing from the blowing port that sent from the blower toward the water tank below through the humidifying filter In humidifiers that humidify,
The ventilation path includes a passage communicating from the suction port to the blower chamber, a passage extending from the blower chamber to the air inlet side of the humidifying filter in the water tank, and a passage extending from the air outlet side of the humidifying filter to the outlet port. And formed by
The humidifying filter includes a filter block in which a large number of air passages for the air flow are configured between water-absorbing sheets that suck up water in the water tank by capillary action, and a frame surrounding the filter block.
The frame of the humidifying filter has a height of a frame located on the air outlet side of the humidifying filter to a height capable of preventing foaming from the water surface of the water tank, in a portion located below the humidifying filter. humidifier, characterized in that to increase the vertical width so as to close a large number of air passage of the humidifying filter.

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